Car rental at Denver International Airport (DEN) is available at facilities located separately from the passenger terminal. Major rental car companies operate offices and vehicle pickup areas connected to the Jeppesen Terminal by free shuttle buses. Rental car shuttles pick up passengers on Level 5, Island 4, on both the east and west sides of the terminal.
The essentials in 30 seconds- Rental counters: at separate facilities outside the Jeppesen Terminal.
- Shuttles: free, provided by each rental company, with pickup stops on Level 5, Island 4, on both sides of the terminal.
- Vehicle pickup: at each company’s rental facility, primarily in the East 78th Avenue area.
- Returns: at your rental company’s designated location, with shuttle transportation back to the terminal.
- Refueling: gas stations along Tower Road, including 7-Eleven locations at 7080 and 8111 Tower Road.
- Winter driving: special tire and traction requirements may apply in Colorado’s mountains, especially along I-70.
Book in advance
During holidays and ski season, booking your rental car before traveling is recommended. Check your rental company’s operating hours, shuttle availability, and vehicle specifications if you plan to drive into the Colorado mountains.
Where to rent a car at Denver Airport
Denver International Airport lists 11 major rental car companies, with offices located outside the Jeppesen Terminal.
Unlike some airports, DEN does not currently have a consolidated rental car center. Companies operate separate facilities, primarily in the East 78th Avenue area, on or near airport property.
- Rental counters: company offices outside the Jeppesen Terminal.
- Vehicle pickup: designated facilities operated by each rental company.
- Access: free shuttle bus provided by the rental company.
- Shuttle pickup: Level 5, Island 4, at the Jeppesen Terminal.
- Operating hours: vary by company and shuttle service.
The airport is planning a future Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility (ConRAC) that will bring rental car operations together. Until that facility becomes operational, passengers must use their respective rental companies’ shuttle buses.
️ Rental counters are not inside the terminalRental car companies do not have their service counters inside the Jeppesen Terminal. After collecting your luggage, proceed to Level 5, Island 4 and board the shuttle displaying your rental company’s name.
How to reach the rental car offices
Free rental company shuttles pick up passengers on Level 5 of the Jeppesen Terminal, where baggage claim is also located.
Shuttle stops are on Island 4, on both sides of the terminal.
From the east side of the terminal
After collecting your luggage, follow signs for Rental Car Shuttles.
- Go to Level 5 of the terminal.
- Exit through one of the doors between 505 and 513.
- Proceed to Island 4, following the rental car signs.
- Find the shuttle displaying your rental company’s name.
- Board the shuttle to the company’s rental facility.
From the west side of the terminal
The process is similar for passengers on the west side.
- Go to Level 5 after collecting your baggage.
- Exit through one of the doors between 504 and 512.
- Proceed to Island 4.
- Wait for your rental company’s shuttle bus.
- Continue to the rental office where you will collect your vehicle.
Rental car shuttles use different pickup locations from other transportation services. Uber and Lyft, for example, pick up passengers on Island 5.
Check your rental company's shuttle serviceRental car shuttles are free, but each company has its own transportation schedule and operating conditions. If your flight arrives late at night or early in the morning, confirm that shuttle service will be available at your expected arrival time.
Rental car companies at DEN
Denver International Airport is served by 11 major rental car brands.
Depending on the company and reservation dates, available vehicles may include economy cars, sedans, SUVs, minivans, and premium models.
If you plan to visit Colorado’s mountains during winter, check the vehicle’s features, tire specifications, and availability of appropriate winter driving equipment.
Main rental car companies
The following companies are listed in the airport’s official directory. All provide shuttle transportation from the Jeppesen Terminal.
Vehicle pickup hours, car categories, and service conditions may vary by rental company.
For the current list of providers and contact numbers, visit the official Denver Airport rental car directory.
Operating hours and overnight shuttle services
Some companies offer 24-hour service and returns, while others operate on limited schedules.
Published operating conditions at DEN include:
- Avis: open 24 hours.
- Budget: open 24 hours, although regular shuttle service may be interrupted during certain overnight hours.
- Enterprise: open 24 hours, with after-hours vehicle returns available.
- Dollar and Thrifty: both publish 24-hour operating hours.
- Payless: regular hours from 6:00 AM to midnight.
- SIXT: counter service from midnight to 2:00 AM and from 5:30 AM to midnight; vehicle returns are available 24 hours a day.
Fox publishes different operating hours on separate versions of its official website, so travelers should confirm the schedule directly with the location before booking.
️ Late-night rental car pickupsA rental office’s opening hours do not necessarily match its shuttle schedule. Budget, for example, publishes overnight interruptions to its regular shuttle service. If you arrive during the early morning hours, check both pickup instructions and shuttle availability before traveling.
Returning your rental car
Rental vehicles at DEN must be returned to each company’s designated facility, not directly to the Jeppesen Terminal.
Before driving back to the airport, check the return address listed in your rental agreement or booking confirmation.
How to return your vehicle
- Drive toward Denver International Airport and follow the directions to your rental company’s location.
- Follow the Rental Car Return signs at the company’s facility.
- Enter the designated return area and park where instructed.
- Complete the vehicle return procedure and remove your belongings.
- Keep your return receipt or confirmation.
- Take the rental company’s shuttle back to the Jeppesen Terminal.
Shuttle buses connect rental car facilities with the terminal, but operating hours and departure frequencies depend on each company.
Allow enough time to return the vehicle, wait for the shuttle, and reach the airline check-in area.
After-hours rental car returns
Some rental companies allow vehicles to be returned outside normal counter hours.
Depending on the provider, the procedure may involve parking in a designated area, placing the keys in a drop box, or following special return instructions.
Avis, Enterprise, and SIXT publish after-hours or 24-hour return options at their Denver Airport locations.
However, these policies should not be assumed to apply to every rental company.
Before arranging an after-hours return, confirm how to return the keys and when your responsibility for the vehicle officially ends.
Where to refuel before returning your rental car
If your agreement includes a full-to-full fuel policy, you will generally need to return the vehicle with a full tank to avoid additional refueling charges.
Gas stations are available along several roads approaching Denver International Airport, including Tower Road.
Depending on your route, possible refueling locations include:
- 7-Eleven: 7080 Tower Road, Denver, Colorado.
- 7-Eleven: 8111 Tower Road, Commerce City, Colorado.
Before heading to a station, confirm that the required fuel is available and the pumps are operating.
The most convenient location will depend on your rental company’s return facility and the direction from which you approach the airport.
Refuel before reaching the airportIf your rental agreement requires a full tank, try to refuel before arriving at the rental car return facility. Keep your fuel receipt and check the fuel gauge before handing over the vehicle.
Requirements for renting a car in Denver
Documentation, minimum age, and payment requirements depend on the rental company and vehicle category.
Generally, you may need:
- Driver’s license: valid throughout the rental period.
- Passport or photo identification: to verify the driver’s identity.
- Accepted payment method: subject to the rental company’s security deposit conditions.
- Minimum age: some companies allow rentals from age 21, with additional fees for drivers under 25.
- Reservation confirmation: recommended to verify the rental terms, pickup hours, and vehicle category.
International drivers
International visitors must hold a valid driver’s license and meet the applicable legal requirements for driving in Colorado.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) may help explain a driver’s license issued in another language, but it does not replace the original license.
Rental companies may also require additional identification or translated documents.
Before booking, check that the company accepts your license and confirm which documents you must present.
Can you rent a car with a debit card?
Some rental companies accept debit cards, subject to additional requirements.
These may include:
- A specific minimum age.
- Proof of a return flight itinerary.
- Additional identity verification.
- A security deposit or temporary authorization hold.
- Restrictions on certain vehicle categories.
Avis, for example, applies additional debit card conditions at DEN, including a minimum age of 25.
Check your payment conditionsBefore booking, confirm that your card will be accepted when collecting the vehicle, not just for online payment. Also check the security deposit amount and when the authorization hold will be released.
Insurance, deposits, and additional charges
Your final rental cost may include charges beyond the base vehicle rate.
Common items to review include:
- Security deposit: a temporary authorization hold or deposit required by the rental company.
- Damage coverage: responsibilities, exclusions, and possible deductibles.
- Third-party liability: available coverage and applicable limits.
- Drivers under 25: possible daily young-driver surcharges.
- Additional drivers: fees depending on the provider and rental agreement.
- Airport fees: charges related to airport facilities and services.
- One-way rentals: possible fees when returning the vehicle to another city.
- Optional equipment: child safety seats, navigation devices, and other accessories.
If you plan to drive in mountainous areas during winter, also check the availability of tires and equipment suitable for the expected road conditions.
️ Toll roads and highways from Denver Airport
DEN is connected to Denver and other Colorado destinations through Peña Boulevard and the regional highway network.
Major routes include:
- Peña Boulevard: the main airport access road, connecting the terminal with other highways.
- Interstate 70 (I-70): provides access to Denver and the mountain regions of western Colorado.
- Interstate 25 (I-25): a major north-south highway connecting Denver with other cities in the state.
- E-470: a toll highway serving part of the Denver metropolitan area.
E-470 electronic tolls
E-470 uses an electronic toll collection system that allows drivers to travel without stopping at toll booths.
Tolls can be paid through ExpressToll or a license plate recognition system known as License Plate Toll.
For rental vehicles, toll charges may be processed by the rental company, which may apply administrative fees or special billing conditions.
Before using E-470, review the toll payment arrangements included in your rental agreement.
Further information is available on the official E-470 website.
️ E-470 toll chargesDriving on E-470 may generate electronic toll charges billed after your rental has ended. Check your rental company’s toll policies and any administrative fees before using this highway.
️ Winter driving in Colorado
If you rent a car to visit ski resorts, national parks, or mountain destinations, it is important to consider winter road conditions.
Colorado has specific traction and chain requirements that may apply when road conditions require them.
On the I-70 mountain corridor between Morrison and Dotsero, seasonal traction requirements apply from September 1 through May 31.
Tires, traction, and snow chains
Depending on road conditions and active restrictions, vehicles may need:
- Winter or all-weather tires meeting the applicable specifications.
- A minimum tire tread depth of 3/16 inch (approximately 4.8 mm) when required.
- Traction equipment that meets state requirements.
- Chains or approved alternative traction devices when stricter restrictions are activated.
An SUV or all-wheel-drive vehicle does not automatically meet every possible traction requirement.
Before traveling into the mountains, check weather forecasts and current road conditions.
Official information is available through COtrip and the Colorado Department of Transportation’s traction law guidance.
️ Before driving into the mountainsIf you plan to visit ski resorts or drive along I-70 during winter, verify that your rental vehicle meets the applicable tire and traction requirements. Check COtrip before departure and avoid driving when conditions exceed your winter driving experience.
️ Is renting a car worthwhile when visiting Denver?
Renting a car can be useful for exploring Colorado, visiting destinations outside Denver, or traveling between different towns and attractions.
Destinations where a vehicle may offer greater flexibility include:
- Rocky Mountain National Park: a national park known for its mountain scenery and scenic drives.
- Boulder: a city northwest of Denver, close to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
- Colorado Springs: a destination south of Denver with several natural attractions.
- Breckenridge and Keystone: mountain communities known for their ski resorts.
- Vail: a mountain destination and ski resort in the Colorado Rockies.
The convenience of renting a car will depend on your itinerary, the time of year, and driving conditions.
What if you’re only visiting downtown Denver?
If your trip focuses mainly on Downtown Denver and city attractions, renting a car may not be necessary.
Denver International Airport offers rail transportation through RTD’s A Line, which connects DEN with Union Station in downtown Denver.
The typical journey takes approximately 37 minutes.
From Union Station, travelers can use other public transportation services to reach different parts of the city.
If you do not plan to travel outside the urban area, compare rental and parking costs with the available public transportation options.
Frequently asked questions about car rental at DEN
️ Official information
For rental car companies, contact numbers, and shuttle pickup instructions, visit the official Denver International Airport rental car page.
You can also consult the airport ground transportation information, the official E-470 toll website, and COtrip for current Colorado road conditions.